There are two other buildings near Kingsmill’s that would be cheaper — and just as perfect — for Fanshawe College’s downtown campus expansion, mayoral candidate Joe Swan says.

In a Thursday press conference, Swan, who has led the political opposition to putting $9 million in city hall cash to the school’s purchase of the empty department store, pointed to two nearby buildings as practical alternatives — The Met, right next door, and the Market Tower at Dundas and Richmond streets.

The latter was nearly bought by Fanshawe last year, though the college walked away for undisclosed reasons.

Swan said he’ll meet with Fanshawe President Peter Devlin later Thursday to ask him to “withdraw temporarily” its request for an extra $9 million from city hall for the purchase.

He also called on downtown boosters -- who’ve decried his opposition to the Kingsmill’s project -- to have faith the school can find another site downtown at a far lower price than the existing $66.2 million tab.

“They have to have more confidence we’re going to do the right thing,” said Swan, who also suggested another buyer may loom for Kingsmill’s. “I have no reason to believe that building is going to sit dormant.”

Swan is one of 14 mayoral candidates, and one of three expected front-runners. The other two high-profile opponents, Roger Caranci and Matt Brown, have both expressed support for the Fanshawe-Kingsmill’s project.

Tim Kingsmill, owner of the just-closed department store, confirms he has received a new offer for his building.